Pong-playing embryonic mouse brain cells and other novelties

Real Change
If I die while jaywalking, can I compost my corpse in the median?

By Dr. Wes Browning | November 9, 2022

Last week, I found myself thinking more about death and dead people than usual, and it wasn’t until about Wednesday that I realized I was probably reacting to the Day of the Dead celebrations. I was relieved to find out I wasn’t just showing my age. ...
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Real Change
Where do people go once they’re swept? Sweeping without a dustpan isn’t a plan

By Hanna Brooks Olsen | November 2, 2022

Imagine that you’re eating cookies in the kitchen. No plate, no napkin. Standing over the counter, a dusting of crumbs forms under you. Using one hand, you collect them and form a pile. Now you have a choice. Do you make a little cup with your other hand and sweep the crumbs in? Or do you brush them all over the floor? ...
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Real Change
Discombobulated salmon in mid-toss

By Dr. Wes Browning | November 2, 2022

The big news from last Friday: We found out Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter was a done deal. Musk started firing Twitter executives, and at least one of the fired executives confirmed he was fired by Musk. There’s your smoking gun.

Musk announced he’d become the “chief twit” at Twitter and “the bird is freed,” forcing me to hear “Born Free” over and over again in my head. Thanks a bunch, Musk. ...
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Real Change
Progressive values as convenient: Rich Seattleites should consider the true cost of private schools

By John Burbank | November 2, 2022

We hear a lot about the blue/red divide, MAGA voters east of the Cascades and the worries they bring about threats to democracy in America. But these divisions are not the only threats to our democratic institutions. Here in Seattle, thousands of those who consider themselves progressives are actually undermining democracy. ...
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Real Change
Together for Real Change: Your donation today makes our community possible

By Samira Khadar | November 2, 2022

The end of the year has arrived. With it, we reflect on the people who make Real Change possible every day. People like you. ...
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Real Change
Internalized racism and systemic collusion

By Oscar Rosales Castañeda | October 26, 2022

The scandal involving prominent members of the Los Angeles City Council has rippled beyond the immediate environs of Southern California. Although I do have my reservations about writing about issues that do not directly involve our communities here in the upper left coast, I still feel that given the sociopolitical implications on a major West Coast city, it deserves additional analysis. That’s especially true as I examine the event as an ethnic Mexican and former resident of that region. ...
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Real Change
Mosquito is a Spanish word, and ‘mosquitos’ is its plural — I’m right; Google is wrong

By Dr. Wes Browning | October 26, 2022

When I first saw Liz Truss speaking on TV, I had a sinking feeling. Of course I thought her politics were all wrong, but I also had the feeling the UK would chew her up and spit her out. She has achieved peak political mastication. It’s great to find that I haven’t lost my knack for spotting disasters in progress after all these years. ...
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Real Change
How the end of COVID-19 public health emergencies could impact our community

By Rashad Collins | October 26, 2022

At the end of October, the public health state of emergency for COVID-19 will officially end for Washington state and the city of Seattle. In many ways, that is good news. We have collectively come far in our understanding of the virus. Public health experts and researchers continue to find and improve upon tools that each of us can use to protect ourselves and our communities, allowing us to go on with our daily lives. ...
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Real Change
An escalator, not a plateau

By Jill Mullins | October 19, 2022

I was listening to a news story about one of the most recent devastating climate catastrophes, and the person being interviewed made a comment about being so confused that people talk about smoke, heat waves, hurricanes, devastating fires and more as if it’s the new normal. They’re treating things like a plateau, when we are really on an escalator of increasing devastation. ...
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Real Change
Pong-playing embryonic mouse brain cells and other novelties

By Dr. Wes Browning | October 19, 2022

I learned some things this week.

Brain scientists in Australia put embryonic mouse brain cells on top of a “microelectrode array” — whatever that is — and called it “DishBrain.” That sounds like a delicious plate of scrumptiousness, but is definitely not for eating: It’s for teaching the resulting ensemble to play Pong. ...
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